Thanksgiving tends to be the usual "kickoff to Christmas" weekend. Due to Covid, we decided to NOT get together as an extended family for the big Thanksgiving meal. It was one of the hardest decisions we had to make of the year.
Instead of the traditional turkey dinner, Matt decided to grill steaks and cook up some red potatoes for our dinner. It was delicious!!
Over Thanksgiving weekend, we gave the kids their 2020 Christmas Tree Ornaments - always a highlight!
We spent a day in Dubuque/Platteville, another day in Peoria, an evening in Clinton and an evening in Kewanee.
Peoria - We've made a tradition of stopping at a few Goodwill stores in hopes of finding some wonderful treasures! We then head to the Festival of Lights in East Peoria...
The first year we ever went to the Peoria lights, we were shocked by the VERY long line of cars, waiting to drive through the display. We learned our lesson that year and have tried to arrive as close to opening time as possible. This year was no different. Sadly, the line was already down the big hill and we knew that it would be at least an hour wait. We bypassed the line and entered the park from the north side of town. Much better! We only had to wait around 20 minutes - a great time to take our annual "sitting in the van, waiting to see the Peoria lights" photo!
The line of cars, waiting to drive through the light display in East Peoria.
Of course, with every tradition comes FOOD! We have eaten at Tyroni's Pizza in Bartonville since we first started with the lights. While Google said that they had dine in available, I called and found out that their dining room was (sadly) closed. We decided too figure out a way to make it work. We ordered our food, grabbed drinks at a nearby gas station and then drove to Tyroni's - to eat dinner in their parking lot. Mind you, it is 30° outside!! The food is worth it and, you know...it's tradition! Making memories, right!?
We left Peoria and headed back to Moline. Since it wasn't too cold and there was no snow on the ground, we headed to Henry's Christmas Yard of Inflatables. What a fun yard to walk around and see all of the inflatables, cutouts and a 30 feet Santa!
A few weeks later, we celebrated my birthday - nothing fancy, but it was a wonderful surprise to see my parents!! They stopped by to drop off a Village Inn French Silk Pie (my favorite!) and to wish me a Happy Birthday.
Our last "trip" was one evening in Kewanee. We always stop in Annawan to get a treat at Paxton's Corner Coop. Super yummy ice cream and cookies!
We were thankful that Kewanee decided to continue with their light display during the pandemic. It was very easy to social distance (wasn't busy at all) and we enjoyed walking around to see the beautiful lights. The bridge always amazes us!
We visited Kewanee on a night that we could see the "Christmas Star".
Christmas Eve - I think Christmas Eve is more of a favorite for us than Christmas Day! We love attending the candlelight Christmas Eve service, followed by dinner at Texas Roadhouse. 
After dinner, we head home and the kids exchange their gifts with each other (Secret Santa).
Kaitee received this Community (TV Show) T-shirt from Will
Alex loved her new box of Cheerios from Kaitee! Lol! She actually received a pair of "Holy Cow" socks and the book "Falling Fast" which was written by a great friend!
Will loves his new gaming headset from Maddie!
Maddie opened her gift - bluetooth earbuds and hand weights. I think Alex knows what she likes!
A very successful night of gifts exchanged! We ended our Christmas Eve night with the movie "The Nativity".
Christmas Day - I woke up by 7 the next morning and started making breakfast - Monkey Break and Egg Casserole. Will was the next one up and he helped me get everyone else up and going.
Once we were all up and comfortable, Alex played Santa and passed out the gifts and stockings.
Matt had the kids open up gifts from him - TOILET PAPER! Rather fitting for 2020.
I try to come up with a different idea for wrapping the kids' gifts every year. Sometimes it is the wrapping paper, sometimes it is the ribbon (color) or different name tags. This year, I had fun finding some pictures of each kid's favorite character/person and then placed them on the gifts.
The kids thought it was a great idea and they loved their tags! Little did they know, those weren't their gifts! haha! Instead, I coordinated these tags with the kid who had their name for Secret Santa. Check out Maddie's expression when I revealed that their gifts were not really their gifts! I don't know why she was surprised...
Alex gave all of the kids a "Gilligan" hat. Loved the wrapping job!
Will received some turtle socks, 2 puffy winter vests, earbuds and 2 sets of lights for his Lego Sets.
Maddie received MukLuk Slippers, fuzzy socks, 2 book series, a volleyball and Adidas Slides.
Alex got a couple of Veggie Tale DVD Sets, MukLuk slippers, fuzzy socks and some earbuds.
Kaitee was shocked to receive 2 Funko Pop "dolls" from the movie Pete's Dragon (one of her all time favorite movies). She also received the Community (TV Show) Soundtrack, MukLuk slippers and Otter socks!
Matt opened a few gifts from all of us - some gift cards for meals while working, a bible cover and some chocolate.
The kids gave me some new stickers for my "new" vehicle - including a Cubs sticker and license plate frame and a US Map to show where we have traveled as a family.
Matt gave me a "book" - promising me a trip to Door County this year.
We ate a great breakfast, got ready for the day and then headed out to my parents to celebrate with family.
Grammy put together a "Minute to Win It" game for the kids to play - helped that there was money involved!
We opened gifts, hung out together and ate dinner. Sadly, no pageant or talent show this year. Grandad read the Christmas Story, according to Luke. Above all, it was wonderful to be together!
We walked over to Barb & Willy's house and sang a few Christmas songs to them. Sad that we couldn't spend time with them.
We close out 2020 - definitely the hardest and craziest year we have ever lived through. So thankful for our family and the memories we were able to make this year, the time we had together and for good health (among many, many blessings).
